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South Korea 2-0 Greece

Morning all, I'm Chris Bevan, and I'm wondering how the first day of the 2010 World Cup was for you? Good, I hope (let's try to forget about the stinker that was Uruguay 0-0 France) but, in any case, we have lots to look forward to on day two too... three games for starters - including England's opening game of the tournament. You'd better strap yourselves in... this might be a bumpy ride.

09:04Commentary

Firstly though, I should tell you that South Africa is still sleeping soundly this morning - the centre of Cape Town was almost deserted when I made my way into our BBC base. I suppose that's what you get the morning after the start of the first World Cup on this continent, and the first match in this city. The party went on quite late, from what I could hear - a concert in one of the main fan zones didn't start until midnight for goodness sakes...

09:10Commentary

Speaking of noise, this morning was the first time for about three days that I've been woken up by my alarm, rather than the sound of vuvuzelas being blown outside my hotel room... I'm almost missing them. Almost.

09:13Commentary

Still, enough about me. I want to hear your World Cup stories stories so far - and your thoughts on England's game against the US too of course. Text me on 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide), I'm on Twitter at chrisbevan_bbc,or get involved on 606.

From Nestamania: "I think it will be a lot more exciting than the opening day. Is Lionel Messi one of the greatest ever, as some people claim these days? The stage is set-up for him now in the biggest show!"

09:25Commentary

By the way, one of my first acts of the day was to spill a full cup of coffee over the notes I'd made ahead of the South Korea-Greece game. Luckily, I know both those sides inside-out anyhow (ahem) so it was not quite the tragedy it could have been.

09:32Commentary

We already know Gareth Barry won't start for England tonight... but not much else. Not even the players know who will be playing yet, apparently, because coach Fabio Capello won't tell them until two hours before kick-off. Capello explains: "I always decide at the last moment so I can speak to the players, all of them, and make sure they are in good condition, mentally and physically and then it is for me to decide."

09:35Commentary

I'm sure you've all got your own ideas about who should start for England, and how they should try to break down what is likely to be a well-organised US team. Hopefully Fabio has got that bit sorted but, if he is a bit stumped, he could always take a look at Lee Dixon's tactical breakdown.

World Cup Have Your Say

From Tony in Kilifi, Kenya on WCHYS: "Messi and Ronaldo have not made any real impact at international level so far. Why do people think this will be any different in Sout Africa?"

"I'm disappointed that we didn't blow a lot of vuvuzelas, but let's hope in the next game we'll blow more. There were not enough. It was more like a Mexico home game."

Please let this be some sort of joke.

09:57Commentary

England will be playing in white tonight - I'm not sure whether that is a good thing or not... but I'm sure there must be some statistics out there that will tell us. There are more important things to worry about than the colour of their kit though, right?

SMS

From Steve in Broadstairs: "I'm so excited I couldn't sleep last night! I'm a West Ham fan so you would think I would say Rob Green to be in goal, but I would pick David James personally - he is mor e experienced, stronger and bigger... come on England!!"

10:05Commentary

Breaking news (sort of):The BBC bus is up and running as of this morning - it left Cape Town in the early hours, and will be travelling the length and breadth of South Africa during the World Cup... Football Focus presenter Dan Walker, who is one of those on board, has just posted his latest blog too - I recommend you take a look.

From John in Winchester: "Good luck tonight lads. The US will fancy giving us a game, but we have more experience, better players and a meticulous manager. It's a done deal. Won't be pretty, but the win is what we want. I'll be watching the game with four-day-old Zak and his amazing Mum. Come on England."

ContributorBBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty

"The wait is over and England finally start their World Cup here tonight. Not many England fans around Rustenburg last night but at least 10,000 are expected for the game.

Fabio Capello's Geoff Boycott-style dead bat over team selection in front of the media caused plenty of debate at the breakfast tables this morning.

Lots of chat about James Milner as England trained at the stadium last night - suggesting he may get the nod on the left of midfield ahead of Joe Cole if he has recovered fully from a virus. A move to help combat the United States' main threat Landon Donovan perhaps?

The goalkeeper was the other big talking point but Capello was giving nothing (and I mean nothing) away as he said players will be told two hours before kick-off. He actually said "20 minutes before kick-off" at one point. Cutting it a bit fine that Fabio."

SMS

From Dan in Portsmouth: "Emile Heskey bicycle kick to win it for us tonight, agreed?"

I think you're on your own there, Dan. Sorry. There's probably more chance of David James doing that...

10:30Commentary

I know, I know. We all want to forget about France's draw with Uruguay last night. If that remains the worst game of this World Cup, I will be a very happy man. However, BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher was among the 64,000 unlucky enough to watch it at Cape Town Stadium and he has written a blog about France's frailties which is infinitely more entertaining than the match itself. Check it out here.

No, because I do too. So there's already more people agreeing with you than with Dan in Portsmouth.

10:47Commentary

Less than two hours to kick-off between South Korea and Greece in Port Elizabeth. I don't want to dampen anyone's enthusiasm, but the Greeks are not exactly renowned for free-flowing attacking football under Otto Rehhagel... who often seems to be allergic to goals. Still, expect a nice contrast with South Korea's all-action, high-tempo approach - and at least one team will be trying to score.

10:52Commentary

My favourite nickname of any player at this World Cup? South Korea's veteran goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae, who is also known as 'Spiderhands'. Does that mean he's got eight of them then? If you need to brush up your knowledge of the Red Devils, check out our team page, right here.

Twitter

From jamesnlongman: "Cannot wait for the main event tonight, been waiting months for this! Lennon to tear their left-back to shreds! 3-0 ENGLAND!"

11:06Commentary

A St George flag has been raised above Downing Street in support of England's World Cup bid... and British Prime Minister David Cameron has sent his own good luck message to Fabio Capello's squad. Cameron said: "I keep saying we are all in this together and that is particularly true when cheering on the England team."

11:11Commentary

Speaking of David Cameron, he has lent his support to the Football Association's England Football Day campaign. There are festivals going on all around England today, giving you the chance to play and coach, or even just share your love of the game. I think that means you have to join in, doesn't it?

11:23CommentaryGreece coach Otto Rehhagel on facing South Korea:

"I don't think it's going to be an open match, both teams will be careful. It's the first match and if you lose the first match your chances of getting through to the next round are limited."

I did warn you, didn't I...

11:30Commentary

I've just seen the South Korean and Greek teams for today... and it's bad news. 'Spiderhands' is on the bench - Jung Sung-ryong is between the sticks instead. For Greece, Georgios Samaras starts up front, alongside Angelos Charisteas and Theofanis Gekas (according to Fifa anyway)... if I know King Otto, then expect that to be more like 4-5-1 than 4-3-3 though.

SMS

From Julius in London: "Good luck to England and Greece. England should have a comfortable 2-0 win against the USA. Could Greece repeat the 2004 surprise? We'll have to wait and see, not long now. Come on England, come on Greece, let us have a more exciting second day."

11:43CommentarySouth Korea's Celtic midfielder Ki Sung-Yong

"Since South Korea got to the semi-final in 2002, many people expect the same result. No one in South Korea expected the national team to go to the semi-final so now the expectations are too much. But we will try our best and our squad is getting stronger. If we try our best we can qualify for the group stage and then who knows, we could maybe go onto the quarter-final."

Right then. I'll be cutting and pasting most of those names today, I think. Anyway, do you lot have any predictions for the first game of day two? If Greece score a goal and pick up a point they will already have bettered their only previous World Cup appearance, at USA '94. Back then, they lost all three group games and conceded 10 goals - Otto Rehhagel would not have been happy with that, would he?

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From manoo in London: "Hoping for an England success today but am also keeping an eye out for South Korea. Their 2002 cup run has always stuck in my mind as a great World Cup memory and I'm hoping they'll do well."

12:04Commentary

This is how it's going to work today. I'm going to be taking you through all the action from South Korea v Greece, before handing over to Jonathan Stevenson in Johannesburg for Argentina-Nigeria and England against the US. Messi, Maradona and England all to come - should be good, no?

12:06CommentarySouth Korea v Greece team news

As expected Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-sung and Bolton striker Lee Chung-yong start for South Korea. Celtic's 21-year-old playmaker Ki Sung-yong joins Park Ji-sung in providing the drive from midfield as they look to pick up where they left off from their unbeaten qualifying campaign.
Coach Otto Rehhagel has selected an experienced line-up as Greece embark on their second World Cup finals campaign. Georgios Karagounis earns his 85th cap in midfield, where he is joined by Panathaniakos club-mate Kostas Katsouranis. Celtic striker Georgios Samaras starts up front alongside Angelos Charisteas. Liverpool centre-back Sotiris Kyrgiakos is not selected in the starting 11.

You will be able to watch the best player on the planet, Mr Lionel Messi, take on Nigeria live on BBC One and this website (UK only) this afternoon (kick-off is 15:00 BST). Here at the BBC studios in Cape Town, the sound of Kings of Leon blasting out of make-up means Alan Shearer has arrived to get ready for that one - he likes a sing-a-long too, does Alan - I haven't heard much from Alan Hansen or Gary Lineker yet though.

Twitter

From Z_Kev: (Re 12:09) "Plus those elephants look like they want to score more than Emile."

12:23Commentary

The teams are out on the pitch at Port Elizabeth. The stadium is not exactly full but the fans that are there look very excited indeed.

606

From RDNRoyal: "Really behind South Korea today, don't understand how anyone outside of Greece can support that awful brand of football."

12:30KICK-OFF

After a slight delay, South Korea get us started... and day two of the World Cup is officially under way.

3 minsCommentary

Greece are the first to threaten, and they should probably be ahead. Defender Vasilis Torosidis is complety unmarked at a corner, and seems a bit surprised when the ball reaches him on the edge of the six-yard box - he ends up snatching at his shot and it flies over. That is a real waste.

6minsGOALSouth Korea 1-0 Greece

Greece coach Otto Rehhagel will NOT be happy. South Korea win a free-kick next to the corner flag on the left-flank and, when the ball is sent in by Ki Sung-yong, it flies straight over the Greek defenders, allowing Lee Jung-soo an easy tap-in at the back post. The ball skimmed off the head of Kostas Katsouranis on its way through, so I think he is the main culprit.

10 minsCommentary

That goal should bring Greece out of their shells... Otto will have to attack now, surely?

Twitter

From seby1230: "South Korea-Greece game already looking like a more exciting game than what France v Uruguay was last night!"

15 minsCommentary

Greece's defending is all over the place at the moment. South Korea have a shout for a penalty when Lee Chung-yong goes down in the box as he shapes to shoot but New Zealand referee Michael Hester waves play on. There was contact, though - the Greeks were a bit lucky there.

ContributorBBC Radio 5 live's David Pleat

"Although the stadium holds about 42,000, it's at best two-thirds full. The third tier hospitality seats are almost empty."

18 minsCommentary

Don't forget, if you want them, you can get minute-by-minute stats of this game right here.

22 minsCommentary

Greece's favoured attacking option seems to be getting crosses in from the flanks for Theofanis Gekis to try to get on the end of. With South Korea's full-backs seemingly more concerned with getting forward than doing any actual defending, they might have some joy there.

24 minsCommentary

Another chance for South Korea, who break forward quickly before Park Chu-young has a pop from the edge of the area. His shot was way off target but it just shows Greece will have to be mindful of counter-attacks as they look for an equaliser.

SMS

From anon: "Whats good about the vuvuzelas is that they create a good atmosphere even if the crowd is small."

28 minsCommentary

Another breakaway by South Korea and, if not for a cracking save by Alexandros Tzorvas, Greece would now be 2-0 down. Park Chu-young runs on to a fabulous through-ball from Park Ji-sung and tries to slide the ball home, but Tzorvas gets a leg - or a foot - on his shot after Avraam Papadopoulous gets back to put off the striker. That was a close shave though.

Not much of a response from Greece so far and South Korea look very comfortable at the moment. Needless to say, those vuvuzelas still haven't shut up yet.

41 minsCommentary

With half-time approaching, South Korea will feel they should probably be out of sight by now. They've just had another chance too - with the Greece defence backing off, Park Chu-young has space to try his luck from outside the area but lifts his shot high over the bar.

SMS

From Dave in Leeds: "For the sake of all our sanity will someone PLEASE ban those horns. They are ruining my World Cup already, they are the first thing anyone notices when watching a game & every bit of footage we ever see of this tournament will have that dreadful buzzing noise in the background!"

44 minsCommentary

Still, Greece are very much in this game - despite being very unimpressive so far. South Korean goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryon almost gifts them an equaliser when he makes a hash of a deep cross, misjudgingh it, then almost dropping it at the feet of Theofanis Gekas. Jung Sung-ryon blames the sun for his mistake... which is exactly what I would do too.

13:15HALF-TIMESouth Korea 1-0 Greece

13:20Commentary

Hmmm. Greece don't seem to do World Cups very well do they? Their wait to score a goal at a finals goes on after a toothless display in the first half. South Korea have looked a lot brighter, and should probably have a bigger lead than just 1-0 at the break.

ContributorBBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty

"Just making final preparations before heading off to the stadium in Rustenburg for England v United States. Two key phrases dominate the thoughts as England finally prepare for action.

Steven Gerrard used the words "time to deliver" on numerous occasions on Thursday while Fabio Capello admitted "I exist to win" when he spoke to the media last night. The two messages are inter-linked. Can England turn words into action tonight?"

Twitter

From Chippie67: "South Korea could rue those missed chances in the second half. The Greeks should come out fired up."

13:30SUBSTITUTION

Greece have made a change at the break, taking off Giorgos Karagounis and bringing on Christos Patsatzoglou

13:31Commentary

Greece get the second half under way.

50 minsCommentary

South Korea have enjoyed most of the possession since the restart. No chances yet but, if Greece are to find an equaliser, they need to find a way of getting the ball back first.

52 minsGOALSouth Korea 2-0 Greece

Talk about shooting yourselves in the foot. Greece dally on the ball at the back and Loukas Vyntra's mistake lets Park Ji-sung in. He still has a lot of work to do, but makes for goal and holds off two defenders before sliding the ball past Alexandros Tzorvas and into the net. A cracking goal - and South Korea look good for the three points now.

56 minsYELLOW CARD

Referee Michael Hester has had a biggish penalty shout to contend with but has not been that busy otherwise. We've played for almost an hour and Greece's Vasilis Torosidis has just become the first player to go into his book. Torosidis protests his innocence after a rash tackle but is still shown yellow.

58 minsSUBSTITUTION

Another change for Greece, who look desperately short of ideas. Giorgos Samaras comes off, to be replaced by Dimitris Salpingidis.

60 minsSUBSTITUTION

Greece have made more substitutions (three) than they have had shots on goal (one). Angelos Charisteas is off, and Pantelis Kapetanos is on.

64 minsCommentary

This has been a terrible performance by Greece, but it could be a lot worse. South Korea are still creating lots of chances and Park Chu-young has just headed over from point-blank range. I'm not sure how the score is only 2-0.

67 minsCommentary

Just a reminder that Nigeria and Argentina are the other teams in this group, and they meet in Johannesburg at 1500 BST today (live on BBC One and this website in the UK). I don't fancy Greece's chances much against either of those sides, on this evidence anyway.

71 minsCommentary

Whoo! Greece have had a couple of shots. Neither of them are on target though. First, Theofanis Gekas tries an ambitious effort with his back to goal, and lifts the ball high over the bar. Then Dimitrios Salpingidis tees up fellow substitute Pantelis Kapetanos inside the area... but his shot ends up in pretty much the same place.

74 minsSUBSTITUTION

Greece have improved in the last few minutes (it wasn't exactly difficult for them to do so) so South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo is going to make a change to tighten things up a bit. Veteran defensive midfielder Kim Nam-il is on for Ki Sung-yong.

77 minsCommentary

Greece continue to come forward and they want a penalty when Theofanis Gekas's shot comes back off Lee Young-pyo. Referee Michael Hester is having none of it though. For a start, the linesman's flag is already up... and replays show the ball hit the defender's chest, rather than his arm.

SMS

From Jason in Birmingham: "The Greeks are shockingly poor. Predictions for the rest of the day are Argentina to win 3-1 and England to win 3-1 with Heskey to be a twice-scoring hero!"

81 minsCommentary

It's taken them 81 minutes but Greece have finally forced Jung Sung-ryon into making a save. Theofanis Gekas lets fly with a thunderous shot from the edge of the box, but the South Korean goalkeeper reacts superbly to tip it over the top.

84 minsCommentary

Greece have chucked a couple of extra men forward but I'd hardly say South Korea are under the cosh in the closing minutes... they're still attacking themselves, actually, and Park Chu-young is unlucky to be crowded out as he chases a ball over the top.

86 minsSUBSTITUTION

Another chance for South Korea: Alexandros Tzorvas has to get down to his left to push a Lee Chung-young shot round his post. Another substitution too: Lee Seung-ryul for Park Chu-young.

90 minsCommentary

On the touchline, South Korea coach Huh Jung-moo and his assistants look quite pleased with their day's work. There is still work to do for them to get out of Group B, but - unless we something very special and unexpected from Greece in the final few moments of this one - they have made a very decent start to their World Cup campaign.

FULL-TIMESouth Korea 2-0 Greece

South Korea celebrate - Greece look gutted. We've just seen our first winners, and losers of this World Cup. In case you'd forgotten: victory is sweet - defeat can be difficult to swallow.

SMS

Dave in Manchester: "The Greeks were really bad. To be honest I dont really rate any of the teams I have seen in the three games so far. But really looking forward to seeing Messi and Rooney today. England to win 3-0."

14:30Commentary

Right, that's me done and dusted but there is obviously an awful lot more still to come from South Africa today. First up, Argentina against Nigeria (live on BBC One and this website in the UK) at 15:00 BST... followed by England's opening game against the United States at 19:30 BST. Jonathan Stevenson is in Johannesburg to take you through all the action - for starters he is waiting to bring you Messi, Maradona et al right now.

By Pranav Soneji

South Korea began their World Cup campaign with a confident victory over Greece in Port Elizabeth.

The 2004 European champions rarely threatened a well-organised and extremely athletic display from South Korea, who impressed with goals in either half from Lee Jung-soo and Park Ji-sung.

Greece produced only two genuine attempts on goal while, in contrast, Huh Jung-moo's team should have won by a larger margin had Monaco striker Park Chu-young been more clinical in front of goal.

The brand new Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth was at best two-thirds full for the opening Group B fixture, although the inevitable drone of the vuvuzelas provided sufficient atmosphere to enliven an intriguing first half dominated by South Korea.

However, it was Greece who had the first genuine goalscoring chance of the match inside two minutes when unmarked left-back Vasileios Torosidis thumped a half-volley from 10 yards just over from Georgios Karagounis's corner.

The missed opportunity was Greece's only significant effort in the half as South Korea took the lead five minutes later.

Ki Sung-yueng's free-kick from close to the right corner flag was inadvertently flicked on by Kostantinos Katsouranis at the near post into the path of onrushing centre-back Lee Jung-soo, who smartly adjusted his body position before volleying in from close range with goalkeeper Alexandros Tzoras nowhere in sight.

The early fillip allowed South Korea to dictate the tempo of the first half, with full-backs Lee Young-pyo and Cha Doo-ri pushing forward at every opportunity, while British-based duo Park Ji-sung and Ki Sung-yueng dominated the experienced Greek pairing of Karagounis and Katsouranis in midfield.

Park Ji-sung was denied an excellent goalscoring opportunity when he was penalised for a foul on Giourkas Seitaridis by New Zealand referee Michael Hester, although replays suggested there was no contact between the two players.

The Manchester United player was once again involved as South Korea spurned a glorious chance to extend their lead in the 28th minute.

Lee-Young-pyo's intervention allowed Park Ji-sung to bisect both Greece centre-backs with a perfectly weighted through ball for Park Chu-young.

The striker displayed impressive acceleration with only Tzoras to beat, but his 12-yard strike deflected off the Panathinaikos keeper's left leg and out for a corner, much to Park Chu-young's frustration.

The end of the first half saw Greece probe Jung Sung-ryong's goal with two promising crosses which just evaded striker Angelos Charisteas.

But Greece manager Otto Rehhagel's frustrations were further compounded within seven minutes of the restart when South Korea doubled their lead courtesy of a horrendous defensive blunder in the 52nd minute by Loukas Vyntra.

The Panathinaikos centre-back received the ball with no apparent danger around him, but an awful first touch allowed the enterprising Park Ji-sung to steal the ball and charge into the box before sliding a well-placed left-footed strike past the onrushing Tzoras.

But neither player could prevent Park Chu-young spurning another great chance to extend South Korea's lead in the 63rd minute when Cho-Doo-ri's perfect right-wing cross found the striker unmarked on eight yards, but his firm header flew over a relieved Tzoras's crossbar.

However, the double substitution had its desired effect as both men pressed forward, pressurising South Korea's defence for the first time in the match.

And goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong was forced into his first genuine save of the match when he parried Theofanis Gekas's stinging shot on the turn from the edge of the box over the bar for a corner in the 81st minute.

But as Greece pushed forward, South Korea attacked the large areas of vacant space, with Bolton's Lee Chung-yong's 18-yard strike pushed past the left-hand post by Tzoras in the 85th minute.

The goalless defeat further extends Greece's unenviable record of never having scored at the World Cup finals.

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